Post-G20 Public Summit: Battle for the Economy - www.battleofideas.org.uk

How we interpret the recession, and whom if anyone we blame for it, are key political and social as well as economic questions. So can we demystify the causes of the current global economic crisis? Some say the free market has had its comeuppance, and the crisis is a timely reminder of the need for a ‘sustainable’ economy. Some argue consumerism is the problem, though fiscal stimulus packages seem fixated on encouraging us to consume more. Some argue the West has been consuming too much and China not enough. Some blame greedy bankers, others blame greedy consumers, while both regulators and politicians stand indicted for wilful neglect. Should all or any of these people be held to account, or are they mere scapegoats that allow us to avoid facing up to the depth of the problems? Beyond the headlines, what really explains the present global meltdown?

Speakers:
Richard Portes, London Business School/CEPR
Phil Mullan, economist & author
Warwick Lightfoot, economist/former Tory advisor
Simon Nixon, Wall Street Journal


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Artist/Composer: Institute of Ideas
Date: 2009-05-16
Keywords: battle of ideas; economy; debate; crash of 2008; credit crunch; ideology; politics; consumption

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